GB News host Patrick Christys took issue with a claim made regarding net zero during a fiery debate.
It comes as Rishi Sunak is likely to face legal challenges aimed at thwarting his net zero U-turns amid international condemnation of his shift of plans.
Campaigners including Friends of the Earth and The Good Law Project are now said to be exploring plans to stop a rollback that would mean new petrol and diesel cars, and gas boilers, can be sold for longer.
Senior Meteorologist Jim Dale dubbed Rishi Sunak’s decision to curb measures a “reversal” in the Government’s bid to reach its environmental goals by 2050, before suggesting that the move was a bid to satisfy the “far-right”.
Patrick Christys has hit out at Jim Dale's 'far-right' claims
GB NEWS
Christys hit back at the claims, stating the idea that Sunak had rowed back on his plans is a “lie”, as he still plans to implement a ban on new diesel and petrol vehicles, but at a later date instead.
The GB News presenter then slammed the assertion that Sunak had announced his U-turn in a bid to satisfy the “far-right”.
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“You’ve said we’re going into reverse, which is a lie”, an exasperated Christys said.
“We’re going from fifth gear into third gear. That’s what we’re doing and that’s about affordability.
“I tell you what Jim, you would be amazed by your metric to see how many far-right people are out there.
“Go and have a walk around this country and see how many people are sceptical about net zero, and you think they’re all far-right, do you?”
Patrick Christys took Jim Dale to task over his claims
GB NEWS
Dale asserted that he was “not saying all” net zero sceptics are far-right, but is of the belief that they “predominantly” are.
“In terms of the responses we see and where the political parties stand, that is predominantly the case”, he said.
“Rishi Sunak is moving towards the eight per cent that Reform Party as that is one of the main points they make.”
Christys then commented that half of the country are not in favour of the rapid drive for net zero, questioning whether Dale believes that 50 per cent of the population are “Nazis” as a result.
Rishi Sunak has been facing increased pressure over how he plans to deal with net zero REUTERS“I am not saying Nazis and I would never use that word”, Dale told GB News.
“This will come out in the washing. Science has to lead in this case.
“It can’t be a politician, the committee overlooking are getting a new chairman, they cannot be a puppet of government.”
The Prime Minister has insisted that he is “absolutely not slowing down” efforts to combat climate change despite the series of apparent row-backs.
The Prime Minister said he was confident targets would still be met after weakening a host of pledges designed to help the UK reach net zero in 2050 in a shift that drew fierce criticism.
Former environment minister Lord Goldsmith accused Sunak of “pretending to halt frightening measures that simply do not exist”.
The Prime Minister told Radio 4’s Today programme: “I reject that entirely.”
“These are all things that have been raised by very credible people about ways to meet our net zero obligations,” he said, but was unable to provide evidence they were specifically recommended by anyone.